Zesty Orange-Vanilla Candied Cranberries Recipe: Sweet Magic

Orange vanilla candied cranberries elevate simple fruit into a gourmet sensory experience.

Vibrant crimson berries glisten with a delicate crystalline coating that promises complex flavor profiles.

Winter celebrations often seek unexpected culinary delights that surprise and enchant guests.

These jewel-like morsels balance intense tartness with smooth, creamy undertones that dance across your palate.

Sweet-tart sensations emerge as sugar crystals melt, revealing nuanced citrus and warm vanilla notes.

The delicate preparation converts humble cranberries into an elegant confection with remarkable textural contrast.

Each bite promises a sophisticated blend of bright and mellow flavors that captivate your taste buds.

Why Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries Are Irresistible

• Burst with Festive Flavor: Elevate your holiday treats with these candied cranberries that pack a zesty orange-vanilla punch, transforming ordinary fruit into a spectacular seasonal sensation.
• Create Effortless Gourmet Elegance: This simple recipe allows home cooks to craft professional-looking garnishes that impress guests without requiring advanced culinary skills, making you feel like a kitchen superstar.
• Versatile Culinary Gem: Perfect for decorating desserts, mixing into cocktails, sprinkling over salads, or enjoying as a standalone sweet-tart snack that adds sophisticated texture and vibrant color to any dish.
• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Impact: Using just a few pantry staples, you can create a stunning treat that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end patisserie, proving that sophisticated cooking doesn't require complicated techniques.

Must-Have Ingredients for Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries

• Cranberries: Fresh, plump berries that create the core of this festive treat with a tart flavor profile.
• Orange: Bright citrus fruit providing zesty notes and natural sweetness to complement the cranberries.

• Granulated Sugar, White Sugar: Primary sweeteners that transform cranberries into candied version and create a crisp exterior coating.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rich undertone that enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Orange Zest: Concentrated citrus oils that intensify orange flavor and provide subtle fragrant notes.
• Cinnamon Stick: Warm spice that infuses subtle depth and traditional holiday warmth into the syrup.

• Water: Neutral liquid base for creating syrup and helping sugar dissolve smoothly.

How to Make Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries

Step 1: Prepare Cranberries

Wash cranberries thoroughly, removing any stems or spoiled berries. Transfer good berries to a heat-safe bowl.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Syrup

• Water
• Orange zest
• Orange juice
• Vanilla extract
• Granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick

Step 3: Bring Syrup to Life

Heat mixture over medium-high heat until boiling, then reduce to low. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Cool Syrup Carefully

Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Syrup should be warm but not hot enough to burst cranberries.

Step 5: Soak Cranberries

Pour warm syrup over cranberries, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Include the cinnamon stick.

Step 6: Infuse Overnight

Cover and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld deeply into cranberries.

Step 7: Drain Cranberries

Place a colander or fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl. Pour soaked cranberries into it, letting excess syrup drain. (Save syrup for cocktails or other uses!)

Step 8: Dry Cranberries

Let drained berries sit in colander for 30-60 minutes until surface becomes tacky.

Step 9: Prepare Sugar Coating

Spread 1½-white sugar evenly across a sheet pan.

Step 10: Sugar Coat Cranberries

Gently roll cranberries in sugar, ensuring even coverage. Work in batches.

Step 11: Create Crisp Shells

Allow coated cranberries to dry at room temperature until they develop a crisp outer shell (approximately 3 hours).

Tip: Store in an airtight container and enjoy as a festive snack or elegant garnish!

Tips for Perfect Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries

• Rinse Thoroughly: Carefully wash cranberries, discarding any bruised or damaged berries to ensure only the best fruit makes it into your recipe.
• Control Syrup Temperature: Let the simple syrup cool slightly before pouring over cranberries to prevent them from bursting and maintain their delicate texture.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate overnight to allow orange, vanilla, and cinnamon notes to deeply penetrate each cranberry.
• Drain Strategically: Use a fine-mesh sieve to remove excess syrup, letting berries develop a perfect tacky surface for sugar coating.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll berries gently in sugar, ensuring even coverage and allowing them to dry completely for a crisp, sparkling exterior.

Storing and Reheating Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries

• Refrigeration: Store candied cranberries in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Seal tightly and keep chilled for up to 10 days, preventing moisture buildup that could soften their sugary coating.
• Freezing: Preserve these delightful treats by placing them in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Frozen cranberries maintain their flavor and texture for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheating: Room temperature works best for enjoying these candied berries. Avoid microwaving, which will destroy their delicate sugar shell. Simply remove from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to restore their crisp exterior and vibrant flavor.

Pairing Ideas for Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries

• Pair with Festive Winter Cocktail: Mix the reserved orange-vanilla syrup with vodka or gin for a bright, zesty holiday drink that complements the sweet-tart cranberries.
• Create Decadent Dessert Topping: Sprinkle these candied cranberries over vanilla cheesecake, chocolate mousse, or orange-almond cake to add a delightful crunch and burst of festive flavor.
• Elevate Cheese Plate Experience: Serve alongside creamy brie, aged cheddar, or goat cheese to balance rich dairy with the cranberries' sweet-tangy profile and elegant sugar coating.
• Enhance Morning Breakfast Charm: Scatter over Greek yogurt, morning pancakes, or morning oatmeal to transform ordinary breakfast into a gourmet morning treat with vibrant citrus notes.

Fun Variations of Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries

• Spiced Winter Blend: Enhance the recipe by adding ground cloves and star anise to the syrup for a warm, festive flavor profile that complements the orange and vanilla notes.
• Maple Bourbon Infusion: Swap out some sugar with maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon to create a rich, complex candied cranberry with deep caramel undertones.
• Lavender Citrus Burst: Incorporate dried lavender buds into the syrup and use both orange and lemon zest to create a floral, bright version of the original recipe that adds unexpected depth.
• Ginger Honey Crunch: Introduce fresh grated ginger to the syrup and finish the coating with a mixture of white sugar and finely chopped crystallized ginger for an extra zingy, textural experience.

Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries elevate holiday desserts with their sparkling sugar coating and zesty flavor profile. Guests will savor these glistening jewels that blend sweet-tart cranberries with delicate orange and vanilla notes, creating an irresistible seasonal treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) cranberries
• Zest of 1 orange
• Juice of 1 orange (approximately 0.5 cup or 120 milliliters fresh juice)

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
• 1.75 cups (420 milliliters) water
• 1.5 to 2 cups (300 to 400 grams) white sugar for coating (use a mixture of granulated sugar and clear sparkling sugar in a ratio of three parts to one part)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spices:

• 1 whole cinnamon stick

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse the cranberries, discarding any damaged or stemmed berries, and transfer the pristine fruit to a heat-resistant container.
2. Combine of water, orange zest and juice, of vanilla extract, of granulated sugar, and a single cinnamon stick in a 2-quart (1.9 liters) stockpot.
3. Ignite the heat to medium-high, bringing the liquid concoction to a vigorous boil, then reduce to low, allowing it to simmer for 5-7 minutes until the mixture slightly thickens.
4. Remove the pot from heat, permitting the syrup to cool momentarily while maintaining a warm temperature that won’t compromise the cranberry integrity.
5. Delicately cascade the warm syrup over the prepared cranberries, ensuring complete submersion, and include the cinnamon stick in the liquid bath.
6. Seal the container and refrigerate overnight, enabling the flavors to harmonize and penetrate each cranberry.
7. After the marination period, position a colander or fine-mesh sieve over a spacious bowl, gently transferring the infused cranberries to drain excess syrup.
8. Allow the berries to rest in the colander for 30-60 minutes, developing a tacky surface texture; reserve the aromatic syrup for future culinary adventures.
9. Distribute 1½-of white sugar evenly across a sheet pan, creating a uniform sugar landscape.
10. Carefully tumble the sticky-coated cranberries in the sugar, ensuring each berry receives an even, glistening sugar coating.
11. Permit the sugar-encrusted cranberries to air-dry at room temperature for approximately three hours, developing a crisp, crystalline exterior that transforms these fruits into delectable, sparkling gems.

Notes

• Crafting these candied cranberries transforms ordinary fruit into sparkling holiday gems with a zesty orange twist.
• Washing berries carefully removes stems and ensures only perfect, plump fruits make the cut for this festive treat.
• Creating a fragrant syrup builds deep flavor layers by infusing orange zest, vanilla, and warming cinnamon into sweet liquid.
• Soaking overnight allows cranberries to absorb complex taste profiles, turning them from tart to brilliantly candied delights.
• Rolling in sugar creates a delicate crystalline coating that makes these berries shine like edible jewels perfect for garnishing desserts or enjoying as standalone snacks.
• Drying at room temperature develops a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender, juicy interior that bursts with concentrated fruity essence.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 234
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 3 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: <1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg